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2023 03 14 | Host: Taylor Sheardown | Vicki Proulx | New Member Swearing-in | SPECIAL AGM

Today's meeting was a busy one.

First, thanks to Taylor Sheardown we welcomed Vicki Proulx of the North Okanagan Youth & Family Services Society to join us. Vicki, the NOYFSS' Fund Development & Communications Coordinator provided members and guests an overview of the Society's focus and activities.

Focusing on supporting youth and families, NOYFSS is predominantly funded by the Ministry of Children & Family Development and charitable donations as well as the occasional fund-raising event. The Society concentrates its efforts in 4 areas:

  1. Community Services
  2. Youth Services
  3. Educational Groups
  4. Specialized Home and Support Services

All activities converge in the area of being there for youth and families in crisis or conflict, including and up to providing safe housing for children age 6-16 who are unsafe in their home environments. Activities include supporting the development of skills for parents and youth in everything from managing conflict to ADHD and other skills.

Working collaboratively with School District 22, NOYFSS has counselors in each of Vernon's elementary and secondary schools. The Society also collaborates with Interior Health as many of the supports NOYFSS provides are by referral from a medical practitioner.

NOYFSS is one of only a few organization in Canada to be accredited by CARF Canada (Commisson on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities).

For more information, check-out: https://noyfss.org/

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The meeting continued with Membership Director, Dave Weatherill leading the induction of our newest members, Nathalie Merrill and Dawn Lemiski.

Nathalie has served in Rotary a number of times in other locations, and so brings a wealth of experience to VSSRotary and we anticipate new ideas for how we can deliver on our promise of Service Above Self. After Dave swore-in Nathalie, Nathalie promptly inducted her friend, Dawn Lemiski.

"We're thrilled to have both Nathalie and Dawn join VSSRotary, and can already see their fun, creative energy in many of the things we do," said Dave.

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Our meeting them moved on to even more official business, as we conducted a Special Annual General Meeting (S-AGM) to elect our latest slate of Directors.